Staten Island gets a near-perfect spring Friday — full sun, comfortable temperatures, and a bay breeze that arrives just in time for the afternoon commute home. The National Weather Service is calling for a high near 63°F with west winds at 7–12 mph and no active advisories for Richmond County.
Forecast Period: Friday, May 1, 2026 — 6 AM through Saturday morning
Source: National Weather Service New York/Upton (OKX), NWS grid OKX/30,39, generated 6:09 AM ET, May 1, 2026. No active NWS advisories for Staten Island (NYZ178).
What the Weather Looks Like Today
Sunrise arrived around 5:53 AM with clear skies. Temperatures climb from the upper 50s into the low 60s through mid-morning, reaching the day's high of 63°F by early afternoon. West winds at 7–12 mph keep it feeling crisp rather than warm — a classic May Day on the North Shore and South Shore alike.
Wind shifts southwest by late afternoon, and that is when the bay breeze picks up along the Arthur Kill, Kill Van Kull, and Lower New York Bay waterfront. If you are anywhere near the St. George Ferry Terminal, Great Kills Harbor, or Tottenville, expect a pleasant coastal push into the early evening.
Rain enters the picture after 8 PM — a 15–30% shower chance builds through the night, peaking around 30% by early Saturday morning. These are not storm-level showers. They are the kind that wake you up briefly then pass. Low tonight around 51°F with southwest winds at 6–10 mph.
SIR and Bus Impact — Friday Commute
The Staten Island Railway runs on a standard schedule Friday with no weather-related disruptions expected. All surface bus routes — the S40, S44, S46, S48, S51, S61, S62, S66, S74, S76, S78, S79, S86, S89, S90, S91, S92, S93, S94, S96, S98 — operate normally in dry daytime conditions.
The Staten Island Ferry runs its regular schedule. The 5:30 AM ET departure from St. George is clear and on time. No service alerts were active at publish time. If showers arrive overnight, the Saturday morning first boats are unaffected — rain at that level does not alter Ferry operations.
Express buses to Manhattan (SIM routes) operate normally. The Friday PM rush — typically the busiest commute of the week on the Verrazzano-Narrows — has no weather complication today. Traffic is the usual variable, not weather.
Schools
All NYC public schools on Staten Island are open Friday. Dismissal temperatures will be in the upper 50s — well above the DOE outdoor recess threshold. Full outdoor recess and after-school yard time are expected at all IS and PS locations across the borough. No DOE weather closures or early dismissals are anticipated.
Alternate Side Parking
Alternate side parking is in full effect Friday — no city-declared suspension. If your block sweeps Friday morning, your car needs to move. No weather-based waiver applies on a dry day. Check your block's posted sign or call 311 to confirm your specific schedule.
DSNY Garbage and Recycling
Regular Friday garbage collection is in effect across all Staten Island DSNY sections. Recycling collection proceeds on its normal schedule. No service changes or delays. Put bins out as scheduled — dry conditions mean no collection disruptions.
Decisions for Staten Island Residents Today
- If you are heading to Snug Harbor, Clove Lakes, or Silver Lake Park: This is one of the better May afternoons for it. Low humidity, sun, mild temps. Go before 6 PM to guarantee dry conditions.
- If you are driving to the Verrazzano for the Friday rush: No weather factor today. It is a traffic-only problem — leave earlier if you can.
- If you bike the South Beach Boardwalk or the North Shore Esplanade: Morning and early afternoon are ideal. Southwest wind picks up by 5 PM but stays manageable.
- If you leave for work via the Ferry: Clear skies, no chop on the Upper Bay. Best commute conditions of the week.
- If you planned outdoor yard work or a cookout tonight: Start early. After 8 PM the shower odds make it a gamble. Aim to be done before sunset around 7:54 PM.
- If you have Saturday morning plans outdoors: A 30% shower chance lingers into early Saturday. Pack a layer. Clearing is expected by late morning.
Weekend Outlook for Staten Island
Saturday stays mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of light rain — especially morning. High near 61°F, dropping to around 57°F in the afternoon as a southwest wind persists. Saturday night turns cooler, down to 45°F, with another 30% rain chance and northwest winds building to 8–13 mph.
Sunday clears significantly. A mostly sunny afternoon with a high near 60°F and northwest winds at 14–17 mph — breezy, but a welcome change from the weekend cloud cover. Good day for errands, the Greenbelt, or anything you postponed Friday night.
Source: National Weather Service New York/Upton — forecast.weather.gov | NWS OKX grid OKX/30,39 covering Staten Island/Richmond County, forecast generated 2026-05-01T10:09Z. No active NWS advisories for Staten Island (zone NYZ178) as of publish time.
